This week on the Inside EMS Podcast, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive deep into the What Paramedics Want in 2025 industry report 鈥� and let鈥檚 just say, it鈥檚 not all sunshine and stable shifts.
The report, created in partnership with Fitch & Associates and sponsored by , lays bare the hard truths: burnout is at an all-time high, staffing gaps are holding steady at crisis levels and confidence in leadership is lukewarm at best.
Chris and Kelly get real as they discuss some of the shocking stats 鈥� such as, only 59% of agencies report having enough staff to answer 911 calls, and 76% of respondents now cite burnout as a critical issue. But this isn鈥檛 just about fatigue; it鈥檚 about leadership gaps, lack of support and workplaces that are driving out even the most seasoned medics.
From the 鈥渕andatory overtime spiral鈥� to why communication isn鈥檛 just nice 鈥� it鈥檚 a necessity 鈥� this episode tackles how broken systems are eroding morale and what leaders can (and must) do to change course. You鈥檒l hear why stay interviews matter more than exit interviews, how marijuana use is creeping up as a stress escape, and the simple steps agencies can take to rebuild trust and retention.
Memorable quotes
- 鈥淚f one-quarter of your work workforce says 鈥榳e don鈥檛 enjoy our jobs anymore鈥� and 鈥榳e don鈥檛 enjoy working for you anymore,鈥� you got a hell of a problem on your hands.鈥� 鈥� Kelly Grayson
- 鈥淭his isn鈥檛 just burnout because of the things we鈥檙e seeing. 鈥奣his is because of staffing shortages. This is because of lack of funding. This is because of working overtime. This is because agencies are mandating overtime. And that鈥檚 gonna lead to burnout.鈥� 鈥� Chris Cebollero
- 鈥淲hat we have is a shortage of people who are willing to work for chump change and horrible working conditions.鈥� 鈥� Kelly Grayson
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